CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, and Atlantic Health System, Morristown, have reached a definitive agreement to expand their partnership to create what representatives of both entities are calling a unique model for health system co-ownership.
Coming only weeks after declaring their intent to strengthen their relationship to improve the health of residents across northern and central New Jersey, Atlantic Health will become the majority corporate member in CentraState and CentraState will join the
Atlantic Health System network of care upon receipt of state and federal regulatory approval, according to a press release.
The partnership will deliver immediate benefits to patients, physicians and caregivers in
CentraState’s communities by strengthening its integrated clinical services, physician network and infrastructure through a capital investment of $135 million, outlined in a five-year plan endorsed by both systems’ boards, according to the press release.
The new model for partnership will provide CentraState with significant resources to support its longstanding community focus while advancing Atlantic Health’s mission to touch more lives in New Jersey through collaborations for high-quality, value-based care, according to the press release.
The CentraState board and leadership team, led by President and CEO John T. Gribbin, will continue to oversee system operations at CentraState and ensure the continued advancement of its mission to enhance health and well-being in its local community
through the compassionate delivery of quality health care, according to the press release.
“We are excited to deliver our shared mission of advancing the health of our communities, and confident this innovative partnership positions both organizations for continued success and growth,” Gribbin was quoted as saying in the press release.
One of the first steps the two organizations will take will be investing in and implementing the Epic electronic health record (EHR) platform across CentraState Healthcare System.
Beginning at CentraState physician practices before extending throughout the system, Epic will improve efficiency and safety in care delivery by providing physicians with a patient’s full and up-to-date medical record, according to the press release.
Once complete, CentraState will join Atlantic Health System on Epic, allowing physicians and patients the opportunity to share information throughout the network. No matter
where a patient receives care, their medical information will seamlessly travel with them, easily accessible through the MyChart patient portal, according to the press release.
With this newly expanded partnership come new opportunities for physicians in the CentraState network.
Atlantic Health System will provide CentraState physicians with the opportunity to participate in its affiliated physician group practices and programs, including risk-based contracting initiatives, which have already delivered better health care results for patients and proven savings, according to the press release.
CentraState patients will immediately benefit from cutting-edge data analytics capabilities.
Based on the clinical experiences from Atlantic Health System’s interactions with nearly one
million unique individuals over the last year, these data tools allow caregivers to make more efficient, informed decisions that result in improved outcomes and reduced cost, as evidenced by the success of the Atlantic accountable care organizations (ACOs), according to the press release.
These resources will also accelerate CentraState’s journey from a fee-for-service model of contracting to value-based care.
The terms of the definitive agreement allow the two organizations to pursue joint venture opportunities, including ambulatory services and other population health strategies, which will make care more accessible, affordable and convenient for residents in the communities served by CentraState.
“The swift progress we have made with CentraState on this latest partnership shows how
effective we can be together in delivering innovative and high-quality care for New Jersey’s
residents and families,” said Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “I am thrilled to see all we can accomplish when we work together to put patients first.”
Both organizations will continue working toward obtaining the necessary government approvals for the transaction. Approvals will be necessary from state and federal officials before the transaction can be considered complete, according to the press release.